Liverpool star Luis Diaz shared the message ‘Liberta Para Papa’ (freedom for dad) after scoring a last-gasp equaliser for Liverpool at Luton.
The Colombian was making his first appearance since his father was kidnapped, and negotiations continue over his release. Diaz scored in stoppage time to bring his team level after Tahith Chong looked to have given Luton all three points.
“What he and his family have been through in the past few weeks, you can’t help but feel absolute joy,” commentator and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports. “It is a great leap and gets Liverpool back in it. Some things are bigger and more important than football and what he has been through certainly are.”
Before kick-off, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had explained how Diaz said he wanted to play despite the situation affecting his family. The former Porto star started on the bench, but was introduced late on and succeeded where his team-mates failed in finding a way past Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
“It is still emotional but he decided three days ago that he wanted to train again,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “The football pitch is a safe place for the boys and somewhere where he can, for a few minutes at least, forget about what is going on.
“All the signs he is getting are positive. Negotiations are ongoing but they are positive and that is why he wanted to be part of the team. He trained well and he can come on, there is no issue with that side of things, that is why he is here.”